DEMONS
Demons exist. On the one hand their existence is denied by the secular culture which rejects the supernatural, but, on the other hand, the same culture is enamored with ancient and modern pagan superstitions that are considered authentic and even romantic. While rejecting the supernatural of Scripture, ancient mythological figures are studied, and paranormal creatures are constantly being created by the sinful imagination of man, revealing an infatuation with that which is supposed to be impossible. There is a double standard.
A lengthy quote by Bavinck deserves consideration:
But it is remarkable that a belief in
the existence of beings who are above man occurs among all peoples and all
religions, and that men, when they have rejected the testimony of the
Scriptures concerning the existence of angels, nevertheless, in all sort of
superstitious forms, come back to a belie in the existence of supramundane
beings. Our present generation abundantly proves this. Angels and devils are no
longer held to exist and in their stead a belief has arisen in many circles in latent
forces, mysterious natural powers, ghosts, apparitions, visitations of the
deceased, animated stars, inhabited planets, Mars-men, living atoms, and the like.
Interesting in connection with all these ancient and new manifestations is the
position which the Holy Scripture has over against them. Irrespective
of whether falsehood or truth lies at the basis of them, Scripture forbids all
fortune telling, sorcery, astrology, necromancy, enchantment or the consulting of
oracles, all conjuring and wizardry, and the like, and so makes an end of all
superstition as well as of all unbelief. Christianity and superstition are sworn foes. There is
no science, enlightenment, or civilization that can safeguard against
superstition; only the word of God can protect us from it. Scripture makes man most
profoundly dependent upon God, but precisely in so doing emancipates
him from every creature. It puts man into a right relationship with nature
and so makes a true natural science possible (Our
Reasonable Faith, 202).
Often it is pointed out by believers that pagan mythology has a basis in the real world, the real and supernatural world of angels and demons that is revealed in Scripture. Therefore, while ancient and modern mythologies are erroneous, they do reflect a corruption of the true world of the supernatural.
The word “demon” is derived from daimon, a Greek word that speaks of a spirit, a deity, divinity, or supernatural being, albeit a false deity. In the KJV, the word “demon” is not used; rather, the Greek words, daimon and daimonion, are translated by the word “devil” and the plural as “devils.” This translation confuses the concepts, for there is only one Devil (Devil is diabolos) and multiple demons.
The following topics are discussed:
Existence of Demons
Demonic Activity
Suprenatural Evil
Limitation of Demons
Destiny of the Demons
Demon Possession
Theology of Demons
Demonic Religion
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